Drake Bell, former child star known for his role on the hit Nickelodeon show “Drake & Josh,” is finally opening up about the abuse he suffered at the hands of his former dialogue coach, Brian Peck. In the upcoming ID documentary “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” Drake details the horrifying experiences he endured as a teenager.
According to Drake, Brian Peck drove a wedge between him and his father, who was working as Drake’s manager at the time. Drake’s father was suspicious of Brian, but Drake found himself isolated and spending a lot of time at Brian’s house after auditions. It was there that the abuse began, with Drake waking up one morning to find Brian sexually assaulting him.
Drake describes the abuse as repetitive and says he felt trapped by a dark secret. Eventually, he confided in his mother, who immediately got the authorities involved. Drake claims that he was able to get Brian to confess to the police on a recorded phone call, leading to Brian’s arrest on multiple counts.
Despite the evidence against him, Brian Peck only pled no contest to two charges – performing a lewd act with a 14 or 15-year-old and oral copulation with a minor under 16. Shockingly, during Brian’s sentencing, a number of famous people and friends showed up in court to support him. Celebrities such as James Marsden, Taran Killam, Rider Strong, Will Friedle, Joanna Kerns, and the late Alan Thicke all wrote character letters on Brian’s behalf.
Some, like Rider Strong and Will Friedle, have since expressed regret over supporting Brian. Others, like Joanna Kerns, admitted they were misled when they wrote their letters. Despite the support he received, Brian Peck served a 16-month prison sentence post-conviction before briefly returning to work on shows like “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.”
The documentary “Quiet on Set” sheds light on the dark side of the entertainment industry, particularly in children’s television. It highlights the abuse suffered by young actors and the complicity of those around them. Drake Bell’s bravery in speaking out about his experiences will hopefully encourage others to come forward and seek justice for the crimes committed against them.
“Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” premieres on ID across two nights on March 17 and March 18. It promises to be a difficult but important watch, shining a light on the abuse that can occur behind the scenes of beloved TV shows.
